Truss structure

ABSTRACT

A truss comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending frame members, which, when secured together, have a substantially rectangular configuration, the truss having vertically and horizontally extending members connecting each other, the connections being mechanical, and a plurality of diagonally extending members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to trusses, and more particularly relates to a truss being formed of a plurality of frame members which do not require welding, but are interconnected mechanically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trusses are well known in the art and have been utilized for centuries to build and support structures ranging from roofs to aircraft. Trusses are typically composed of triangles because of the structural stability of that shape and design. However, other types of trusses are also known in the art. As aforementioned, there are different types of trusses with there being two basic types for which the first is a pitched truss otherwise known as a common truss which is characterised by a triangular shape. The second type of truss is known as a parallel chord truss or flat truss and is characterised by parallel top and bottom chords.

Typically, most trusses are formed of a metallic material utilizing welding to interconnect the various frame members. However, while welding provides a good quality final product, it requires a considerable amount of skilled labour which increases the cost of the truss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a truss which utilizes mechanical interconnections and which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a truss comprising, two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members, two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members, the longitudinally extending upper and lower frame members forming a rectangular configuration having an upper side, a lower side, and first and second lateral sides, each of the upper and lower frame members having a plurality of connection points located therealong, the connection points forming a plurality of sets thereof, each set comprising four connection points with one connection point located on each frame member, first transversely extending horizontal member extending between the two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members, third and fourth transversely extending horizontal members extending between the two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members, first and second diagonally extending members, the diagonally extending members extending between one of the connection points and a midpoint on another of the longitudinally extending members.

In the one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit. The kit provides the advantage of providing the various components forming the truss in a knock-down condition. This permits on site assembly of the truss if so desired.

The various members of the truss can be made of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, various metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, various metallic alloys, and the like may be employed. It is equally possible to utilize various plastic materials such as composite reinforced materials as know to those skilled in the art. Combinations of various materials might also be utilized in certain circumstances.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the various members are designed to be secured together by mechanical fasteners while they also may be designed to interlock. In one particular embodiment, structural members might have flanges secured thereto (by welding) and which flanges are designed to receive the ends of other components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the truss according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the longitudinally extending frame members forming the truss of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further one of the longitudinally extending frame members;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further one of the longitudinally extending frame members;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first type of pin used to attach members;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further type of pin for attaching members;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring member;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a male member for attaching or securing trusses together;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a female member for securing trusses together; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a transversely extending member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, FIG. 1 illustrates a truss generally designated by reference numeral 10.

Truss 10 has, as major components thereof, a first longitudinally extending upper frame member 12. Running parallel to first longitudinally extending upper frame member 12 is a second longitudinally extending frame member 14. There is also provided a first longitudinally extending lower frame member 16 lies in a plane below upper frame members 12, 14. The truss also includes a second longitudinally extending lower frame member 18.

As may be seen in FIG. 3 which is an end elevational view, first longitudinally extending member 12, second longitudinally extending member 14, first longitudinally extending member 16 and second longitudinally extending member 18 are arranged so to form a rectangular configuration. All of the frame members 12, 14, 16 and 18 are arranged to be mutually parallel to one another. Each of the frame members 12, 14, 16 and 18 are also arranged such that there is formed an upper side 20, a lower side 22, a first lateral side 24 and a second lateral side 26.

It will be understood that the terms upper, lower, lateral, side are utilized in a non restrictive manner. The terms are meant to apply to the truss as shown in the figures and it will be understood that these terms are employed to describe parts positioned relative to each other and they are not restrictive of the position of any individual member at any one time. The actual position will naturally depend on the placement of the truss and as aforementioned, the terms are used for ease of description only.

Truss 10 also includes a plurality of first transversely extending horizontal members 28 which extends between second longitudinally extending upper frame members 12, 14.

Second transversely extending horizontal members 30 extend between first longitudinally extending lower frame member 16 and second longitudinally extending lower frame member 18. A plurality of first transversely extending vertical members 32 extend between first longitudinally extending upper frame member 12 and first longitudinally lower frame member 16. Similarly, second transversely extending vertical members 34 extend between second longitudinally extending upper member 14 and second longitudinally extending lower frame member 18.

The above arrangement is such that the transversely extending members are located or positioned at the same point of the respective frame members 12, 14, 16 and 18 so as to form a rectangular configuration. It will be noted that the pattern repeats itself along the length of frame members 12, 14, 16 and 18. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, there are four of each of the transversely extending members which in turn translates to provide three sections or portions between the members.

The connection points of the frame members and transversely extending members are generally designated by reference numerals 36. There are also further connection points 36 to receive diagonal members as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are provided a plurality of diagonally extending members 38 which are provided on both of the lateral sides 24, 26 and on upper side 20. In each of these embodiments, the diagonal members 38 extend between a connection point where the vertical and horizontal transversely extending members are connected and to a point located midway on an opposite longitudinally extending frame member. Thus, as may best be seen in FIG. 1, there are provided “sets” or pairs of diagonal members which are utilized on three sides of the truss. In the illustrated embodiment, these are the upper side 20, the first lateral side 24, and second lateral side 26.

On the lower side 22, there is provided a bottom transversely extending horizontal member 48 which is of a similar structure to transversely extending members 28, 30, 32 and 34. Bottom transversely extending horizontal member 48 is connected at the midpoint between the connection points of the second transversely extending horizontal members 30.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate longitudinally extending frame members 12, 16 and 18. As shown, there are a plurality of connection points 36, each connection point 36 having a somewhat different arrangement. As shown, the longitudinally extending frame members 12, 14, 16 and 18 have different connection point arrangements 36 where there are provided sets of flanges. As shown, there are provided a first set of flanges 40 having a single aperture, double aperture flanges 42 and triple aperture flanges 44. Flanges 40, 42 and 44 have apertures 46 therein for securing the various members thereto.

As shown in FIG. 12, the transversely extending horizontal and vertical members 28, 30, 32 and 34 are constructed to have slots formed therein which will receive the set of flanges 40, 42, 44 as appropriate. Member 28, in the area of the slots, has an internal wall 52 formed therein with apertures 54 extending therethrough.

As seen in FIG. 1, there is also provided a further diagonal member 56 which is provided at the point of connection of the transversely extending horizontal and vertical members 28, 30, 32 and 34.

For connecting the various members together, FIG. 7 illustrates a connecting pin 58 which comprises a tubular body 60 having enlarged ends 62 and 64.

The truss structure also utilizes a second type of connecting pin which is illustrated in FIG. 8 and which is generally designated by reference numeral 66. Connecting pin 66 has a tubular body 68 with a enlarged end 70 and a second enlarged end 72. It will be noted that enlarged ends 70, 72 are dome shaped.

FIG. 9 illustrates a slotted tubular member generally designated by reference numeral 74. Slotted tubular member 74 includes a longitudinally extending slot 76. Slotted tubular member 74 may be utilized to connect longitudinally extending members together wherein the slotted tubular member 74 acts as a spring.

FIG. 10 illustrates a male connector member generally designated by reference numeral 78. Male connector member 78 includes a tubular body 80 having a plurality of apertures 82 formed therein for receiving a connecting pin. Male connector 78 includes an outwardly extending end flange 84 having an aperture 86 formed therein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a female connector generally designated by reference numeral 88. Female connector 88 includes a tubular 90 having apertures 92 formed therein. At an end of tubular body 90, there are provided, a pair of parallel flanges 84 having apertures 96 formed therein. In conjunction with each other male connector 78 and female connector 88 are designed to interconnect members together as needed. 

I claim:
 1. A truss comprising: two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members; two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members; said longitudinally extending upper and lower frame members forming a rectangular configuration having an upper side, a lower side, and first and second lateral sides; each of said upper and lower frame members having a plurality of connection points located therealong, said connection points forming a plurality of sets thereof, each set comprising four connection points with one connection point located on each frame member; a first transversely extending horizontal member extending between said two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members; a second transversely extending horizontal member between said two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members; third and fourth transversely extending vertical members, each extending between one of said two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members and one of said two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members; pairs of first and second diagonally extending members, said diagonally extending members extending between one of said connection points and a midpoint on another of said longitudinally extending members.
 2. The truss of claim 1 further including supplemental transversely extending horizontal members extending between said two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members, each of said supplemental transversely extending horizontal members being located intermediate said second transversely extending horizontal extending members.
 3. The truss of claim 2 wherein said longitudinally extending upper and lower frame members have pairs of flanges at said connection points, each of said transversely extending members includes a pair of slots located at either end thereof, said slots being arranged to receive respective pairs of said flanges formed on said longitudinally extending upper and lower frame members.
 4. The truss of claim 3 wherein said ends of said transversely extended members includes apertures aligning with said apertures in said flanges, a frame member extending between or extending to said apertures connected to said longitudinally extending frame members and said transversely extending members.
 5. A kit for forming a truss, said kit comprising four longitudinally extending frame members; a plurality of transversely extending members designed to extend between said parallel longitudinally extending members; and a plurality of pins for connecting said members. 